Selective gear-shifting mechanism.



1. c. BACKUS. SELECTIVE GEAR SHIFT'ING MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILEDOCT-1.13914- Patented Apr. 24, 1917.

3 SHEETS SHEET 1.

Shuewto v a] 15mm 1. C. BACKUS.

SELECTIVBGEAR SHIFTING MECHANISM.

Patented Apr. 2 1, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.-

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 1. 1914.

J. C. BACKUS.

SELECTIVE GEAR smnme MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 1. I914.

Patented Apr. 24, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- JOHN CLAYTON BACKUS, OF SMETHPORT, PENNSYLVANIA.

SELECTIVE GEAR-SHIFTING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 24, 1917.

Application flied October 1, 1914. Serial No. 864,454.

To all wkom'z't may concern: I

Be it known that 1, JOHN CLAYTON BACKUS, citizen of the United States,residingat Smethport, in the county of Me- Kean and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSelective Gear-Shifting Mechanisms, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to gear shifting devices, and particularly tothat class'of gearshifting devices wherein the gear to be shifted isfirst selected and then power applied to shift the gear.

The primary object of my invention is to overcome difficultiesordinarily met with in gear shifting mechanisms by providing me-'chanical means for selecting the gear to be shifted and providing clutchpedal operated means for shifting the gear so selected.

A further object is the provision of a gear selecting mechanism whichmay be operated at any time in advance of the actual shifting of thegears, leaving the actual shifting of the gears to be later accomplishedby a movement of the clutch-pedal itself.

A further object is the provision of a gear shifting mechanism includinga selector mechanism operable by a small control lever located adjacentthe steering 'wheel, they 7 gear so selected being thus'made shiftablethrough operative connection between the gear and the clutch.

A still further object of the invention is to so construct the selectormechanism that it may be set to move the gears into any desired speedposition at any time, irrespective of the direction in which the vehicleis running or the speed positions to which its gears may be set,thegears of the transmission being moved only upon movement of theclutch.

A further object in connection with the above is to provide a mechanismso constructed that ifthe selector mechanism is set to change thetransmission from one speed to another a movement of the clutch toinactive position Will return the gears to neutral position, after whicha return movement of the clutch to active position will move theselected gears of the transmission to whatever position is indicated orprovidedfor by the setting of the selector mechanism. By thisconstruction thedriver may anticipate such change of gears as may benecessary and set the selector mechanism for such change at any timebefore the necessity of the change arises. When so set the change may bemade at any time by merely throwing out and then again letting in theclutch through manipulation of the clutch pedal.

A further object of the invention is to so construct the gearselectingand shifting mechanism as to do away with the use of springs or likedevices, thus rendering every movement a positive mechanical movement.

A further object is to so construct the mechanism that the meshed gearsmay be withdrawn from engagement at exactly the proper time; that is,withdrawn from engagement while the clutch is released.

Still another object is to increase the simplicity of a mechanism ofthis kind and provide a mechanism for the purpose which shall be small,compact, light in weight, and inexpensive to manufacture and install.

My inventipn is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure1 is a side elevation of an automobile engine, the clutch casing, thegear casing, the steering post and the exterior casing of the selectingmechanism,

Fig; 2 is a longitudinal section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 3- 3 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 is a top plan View of the mechanism shown in Figs. 2 and 3, thefigure being partly in section on the line 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, but showingone of the cam-engaging plungers or buckets projected.

Fig. is a vertical enlarged section through the casing carrying theselector lever, shaft and selector gears.

Fig. 7 is a cross section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a face viewof the H-slot.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and indicated in allthe views of the accompanying theautomobile; B the clutch; C the casing inclosing the transmission gearsand D the clutch pedal. Inasmuch as all these parts are well-known andform no partof my invention it is unnecessary to describe them indetail.

Disposed adjacent to and parallel with the steering post .E is anupwardly and rear wardly extending casing designated 2, terminating atits upper end in an enlargement 3. Disposed Within the casing 2 is acentral shaft 4 and a concentrically disposed shaft 5. The central shaft4 at its lower end carries a bevel gear wheel 6-while the tubular shaft5 carries at its lower end the bevel gear Wheel 7.

The upper end of the tubular shaft 5 projects slightly into the head 3of the casing and is there provided witha sector 8 having an upturnedflange 9 formed at its middle with a notch 10. The shaft 4 at its upperend is formed with a squared head 11 of greater cross sectional areathan the portion below the head which is circular in cross section.Disposed within the head 3 of the casing is a selector lever 12. Thislever at its handle end projects out through an Hshaped slot 13 formedin one side of the head3 and at its other end is formed with a sphericalterminal 14 adapted to engage in any one of a plurality of seats 15formed in an arcuate extension 16 having a depth slightly greater thanthe diameter of the spherical terminal 14. This terminal is adapted toseat in anyone of these sockets or seats 15 and these seats form each afulcrum for the lever to permit the lever to be moved vertically. I havethus provided what may be termed a shiftable ball and socket joint forthe inner end of the lever.

It will be seen that in neutral position of the lever the eye 12 of thelever will be below the square head 11 of the shaft 4, but the leverwill not be in engagement with the sector 9. Downward movement of thefree endof the lever, however, will carry it into engagement With thenotch 10 of the sector 9. A full upward movement of the lever will carryits eye 12 into engagement with the square head 11 of the shaft 4. Whenso engaged a rotation of the lever will cause a rotation of the shaft 4.When the lever is shifted downward into engagement with the sector 9 arotation of the lever will cause a rotation of the tubular shaft 5. Itwill be seen that the shafts 4 and 5, may thus be .independently rotatedin either direction.

The lower end of the casing 2 terminates in a supporting casing 17.within which the bevel gear wheels 6 and 7 are inclosed. Mounted uponthe sides of the casing 17 are the segment gears 18 and 19. Each ofthese gears .has an inwardly turned arcuate extremity toothed to engagewith one of the gears 6 or 7. Thus the segment 18 engages with the ear 6while the segment 19 engages Wit the gear 7. Each segment is downwardlyprolonged beyond its pivotal oint and there connected to a rod leadinginto the casing 20. There are two of these selector rods, one beingdesignated 21 and the other 22, as shown clearly in Fig. 4.

The casing 20 is rectangular in plan and extending into and across thiscasing are the rods 21 and 22. Each of-these rods at its middle isformed with a yoke 23 and carried by each yoke is a roller 24. Passingthrough the lower portion of the casing is a transversely extendingfixed shaft 25, and rotatably mounted upon this shaft at opposite endsof the casing are the sectors 26 and 27. Each of these sectors has aperipheral rim 28 or a selector canrplate formed with a longitudinallyextending slot. This slot as shown in Fig. 4 has a middle portion 29which extends parallel to the side edge of the sector and oppositelydisposed outwardly inclined portions 30 and terminals 31 which againextend parallel to the side edges of the sector. These slots 2!) are cumslots. Projecting upward from the middle of each sector are theoppositely disposed lugs 32 spaced from each other to receive betweenthem the roller 24. These lugs 32 extend up within the yoke 23, as shownclearly in Fig. 4. Preferably each of the rods 21 and 22 is notched at aplurality of points as at 33 (see Fig. 2) and a springactuated detent 34is engageable in one or the other of these notches. As illustrated, thisspring detent consists of a small ball urged into engagement with thecorresponding rod 21 or 22 by means of the spring 35, the tension ofthis spring being regulatable by means of a screw 36. There are threenotches 33 corresponding to the three positions which the rods 21 and 22assume.

Also mounted upon the shaft 25 and rotatable thereuround are theoppositely disposed V-shaped members 37. The upwardly g andoutwardlydiverging arms of each V- shaped member carry at their outer ends thehollow heads 38 within which are disposed the transverselyreciprocatable plungers, designated respectively 39, 39 39 and 39. 5Each plunger at its outer end is extended as at 40 and carried upon thisextension of each plunger is a roller which operates in a correspondingslot- 29 in one of the sectors 26 or 27, as shown clearly in Fig. 4. The12 outer end of each plunger is recessed at 42 (see dotted lines in Fig.5) and mounted in this recess is a journal or stub-shaft 43 carrying aroller 44. Each plunger has a sufiicient movement or reciprocation topermit 5 the roller 44 to be projected beyond the face of the head 38 orto permit the roller to be entirely inclosed within the head 38. Eachil-shaped member 37 carries or has formed integral with it, thedownwardly projecting 3 gear shifter arm, these arms being designatedrespectively 45 and 45 andbeing connected through operative mechanismwith the gears to be shifted. A movement of one of the arms to the rightwill throw in one gear and a movement of the same arm to the left willthrow in another gear; amovement of the other arm to the right willthrow in a third gear, anda movement in the opposite direction willthrow in the reverse.

In order to provide means whereby these arms 45 may be shifted in onedirection or the other by the shifting of the clutch from its inactiveto its active positions I provide the shaft 46 which extends entirelythrough the casing 20.v and is suitably journaled therein, this shaftcarrying at one end the radially projecting arm 47 which, as showninFig. 1, is connected to a link 48, whose extremity is slotted as at 49The clutch lever D has a downward extension 50 provided with a laterallyprojecting pin and roller 51 engaging in the slot 49; When,

therefore, the clutch lever is shifted the pin and roller 51 will movealong the slot 49 for a certain distance and then will act upon the link48 and turn the shaft 46.

Mounted upon the shaft 46 midway between the rods 21 and 22 and midwaybe tween the pairs of heads 38 is a cam 52. This cam is elliptical inform as illustrated most clearly in Fig. 2. When the clutch is in thelonger axis of the cam is vertical. When the clutch pedal is moved toeither engage or disengage the clutch, the cam is turned in onedirection or the other and will pass between the pairs of heads 38 andif one of the plungers 39 is projected the cam will engage the roller 44carried by said plunger and, therefore will turn the V- shaped member 37in the direction of movement of the cam, shifting the arm 45 connectedthereto in a reverse direction to the direction of movement of the cam.The particular member 37 which will be engaged by the cam and thedirection inwhich this member will be thrown therefore, depends entirely upon which of the four plungers 39 is projected.

In order to secure a full understanding of the o eration of thismechanism reference will irst be had to the operation of one selectingrod, as for instance rod 21, one seetor 27, the plungers 39 and 39 andthe arm 45*.

The shifting of the selector lever 12 to, one end or the other of theupper part of the slot 13 will cause the shaft 4 to rotate in onedirection or the other. lever 12 be lifted from its neutral positioninto the upper slot and be drawn rearward to its full extent, it willrotate gear 6 in a clock-wise direction. This movement of the rod 21will cause a movement of the selector cam-plate or sector 27 in acounterclockwise If now the direction which will cause the roller41 ofthe plunger 39 to move into the portion 29 of the cam slot and soproject the plunger 39 and will cause the roller 41* to be disposed atthe extreme right-hand end of portion. 31. If now the clutch be thrownout by pressing on pedal D, the first one-fifth of the movement of theclutch lever will be taken up by slot 49. The next two-fifths of themovement will act to shift the cam 52 into engagement with the plunger39 and the next two-fifths of movement will cause a further rotation ofthe cam 52 and cause it to shift the plunger 39 with the sector 27toward the left in Figs. 2 and 4, the arm 45 of course moving toward theright. This will shift the connected transmission gear (as for instancethe low speed gear) into active position.

It will be seen that during the-movement of the sector 27 throughmovement of the rod 21,"the heads 38'remain stationary although theplunger 39 is projected. The subsequent movement of the arms 37, causedby engagement of the cam 52 with the plunger 39 of course swings theheads 38 and also, because the sector 27, remains stationary at thistime, finally causes a retraction of the plunger 39*, the rollers 41 and41 then occupying the same relative position in the cam'slot of thesector 27 as they do in normal position, although the sector is turnedto its extreme left hand position. Because of this, both of the plungers39 and 39 are in retracted position and the cam 52 may return tovertical position when the clutch is let in.

Now if the selector rod 21 be returned to its neutral position, it willshiftsector 27 to its neutral or central position with the plunger 39and 39 still in their extreme left-hand position. This shifting of thesector 27 will have caused the projection of the plunger 39 into thepath of the cam 52 so that the next time the clutch is released the cam52, after completing one-fifth of its movement, will engage with theplunger 39", shifting it to the right until such time as the roller 41is retracted by engaging the inclined portion 30 of the slot, thusretracting the plunger 39. The cam will, of course, continue the-lasttwo-fifths of its movement past the plunger 39, leaving the shifter arm45* in its neutral position.

If instead of being moved to its neutral position the rod 21 had beenshifted to the right the full extent of its stroke, plunger 39 wouldhave remained projected in contact with cam 52 and the shifter leverwould have moved past its neutral position to the left in Fig. 2, thusshifting the other gear into active position, and in condition foroperation just as soon as the clutch is drawn in. Thus it will beseen-that if the shifter arm 45* is in either one of its activepositions the movement of the rod 21 to its neutral or central positionwill cause the-right plunger to be protruded into contact with cam 52 tocause the arm 45* to shift to its neutral position upon the next releaseof the clutch.

For a three speed ahead and reverse trans mission gear, there areprovided the two shifter arms 45 and 45*, each having its own selectormechanism, and disposed between them as heretofore described is the cam52 which operates either one of the arms andoperates either arm ineither direction depending on how the selector is set. The statementabove with relation to the operation of a two-speed gear is equally trueof a three-speed ahead and one ,reverse transmission. No matter whatgear is being 'used, if the selector lever is moved to its neutralposition, that is, to the position shown in Fig. 1, the next movement ofthe clutch pedal to release the clutchwill throw I allthe gears intoneutral position.

In the drawings the upper portion of the H-shaped slot 13 controls thelow speed and reverse gears while the lower portion of the H-shaped slotcontrols the intermediate and the high gears. In starting the car theselector lever is raisedup and pulled toward the rear; that is, towardthe point a in Fig. 8. This will, through the connections heretoforedescribed cause the projection of the plunger 39* into the path ofmovement ofthe cam 52, so that when the clutch is thrown out the shifterarm 45 will move forward and throw the low gear into mesh.

Now the clutch is let in gently and while the car is getting up theproper momentum the selector lever is moved forward to center downwardand forward to the end 0 of lower slot (Fig. 8). 21 in its neutralposition which will cause the plunger 39 to be projected for contactwith cam 52. The placing of selector lever in the forward end 0 of thelower slot will cause the projection of the plunger 39 into the path ofmovement of cam 52. Now when clutch is thrown out cam 52 will engagewith plunger 39 and cause arm 45.

to moverearward until it reaches the neutral position where it willstop, inasmuch as the plunger 39 will then be retracted, as

heretofore described. At this moment cam engages with plunger 39 whichwill cause the arm 45 to move upward, thereby bringing into mesh theintermediate set of gears.

Now. after the clutch is let in and the speed of the car accelerated theselector lever is moved clear back to the rearward end d of thelowermost portion of the H-slot 12, the rod 22 will be moved to itsextreme forward position, thereby shifting the selector .cam-plate 28 orsector 26 into a position that will shift plunger 39 outward. Plunger 39will be held in its projected position until arm 45 has been moved fromits This will leave selector rod tral position to its extreme rearwardposition, thereby withdrawing the intermediate gears and throwing in thehigh speed gears.

It' is to be particularly noted that every plunger after leaving thepredetermined position at which it has'been set is removed from the pathof movement of the cam 52 by the action of the cam slot andcorresponding selector cam plate, thereby per mitting the free use ofthe clutch. This condition is unchanged until a selector plate is againmoved when the proper plunger is again extended into the path ofmovement of the cam '52. I

It is to be particularly observed that no plunger can be pushed out intooperative position, that is, into the path of the cam 52 unless the cam52 is behind the plunger ready to operate. Thus assuming. all the gearsto be in a neutral position and the clutch pushed out, then cam 52 willhave as f made a quarter turn and its ends will be in the path of allthe plungers, locking them from any movement into operative position.This makes the construction proof against wrongful operation.

It will also be observed that the operator can select any desiredgearwithout relation to any other gear and the decision as to are withdrawnat the proper time, that is,

between the pull of the engine and the push of the car, the powerrequired is entirely negligible. In this device, however, it isparticularly pointed out that the meshed gears are automaticallywithdrawn at exactly the proper time. Therefore the actual powerrequired for changing the gears will beso little as not to be noticed.It is likewise pointed out that this mechanism does not contain a singlespring of any kind, that every movement is a positive movement. Themechanism has been found thoroughly effective in practice and as it isvery simple it will not get out of order. The several mechanism may bevery compact.

'With the mechanism forming the subject matter of this invention Ientirely overcome the difiiculties ordinarily met with and a beginnereven can shift the gears as successfully as an experienced driver. Thisis due to the fact that the mechanism between the clutch and theselector mechanism is such as to insure positive and instantaneousmoveparts are relatively small and therefore the ment of the gearsselected, either into or out of mesh at exactly the proper moment, this'being due to the fact that the action of flfor manipulating the handthrottle lever,

both hands, therefore, remaining upon the steering wheel. One foot is,of course, upon the clutch pedal and the other may remain upon theservice brake-pedal.

My invention, therefore, obviates one of the most difficult features ofmotor-car driving. It also prevents injury to the gears, renders gearshifting easy and thereby prolongs the life of the engine, as reducesthe tendency of drivers to run upon wrong gear settings ratherthan shiftthe gears, thus straining the engine.

It is possible with this construction for the driver to vary theselection of the gear position desired as many times as he deemsadvisable or as becomes necessary before operating the clutch pedal.This anticipation of the change of gears makes toward safety, as theoperator can decide in advance what the change will be, set the selectormechanism for such change and then make the change at his leisure.

While Ihave illustrated what I believe to be the best form of myinvention I do not wish to be limited to the exact constructionillustrated and described, as it is obvious that many minor changesmight be made without departing from the spirit of the invention asspecified in the claims.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new is 1. In agear shifting mechanism, a movable actuating element, a plurality ofgear shifting devices including members movable into or out of the pathof movement ofthe actuating element, and selecting mechanism operativelyconnected to said members to shift them into or out of said path ofmovement.

2. In a gear shifting mechanism, a movable actuating element, a pair ofconnected gear shifting members disposed one on each side of theactuating element, selecting mechanism operatively connected to shifteither one of the gear shifting members into or out of the path ofmovement of the actuating element, and means acting to move theprojected gear shifting member from its engagement. with the actuatingelement after the actuating element has shifted the gear shiftingmember.

3. In a gear shifting mechanism, a movable actuating element, a pair ofgear shifting members disposed for reciprocation on each sidethereof'and operatively connected to the gears to be shifted, and gearselecting means, said means in a neutral position causing the retractionof all of said gear shifting members out of operative relation to theactuating element and when shifted from neutral position causing theprojec tion of any one of said members into operative relation to theactuating element according to the position to which it is shifted.

4. In a gear shifting mechanism, a pair of connected gear shiftingmembers mounted for reciprocation, an actuating element disposed betweenthe gear shifting members, selecting means operatively connected to thegear shifting members, said means in neu tral position causing theretraction of both of said gear shifting members from operative relationto the actuating element, but when shifted in one direction fromneutral, causing the projection of one of said members into operativerelation to the actuating member and when shifted in the other directioncausing the projection of the other member into such operative relation,a movement of said connected gear shifting members under the action ofthe actuating member causing the retraction of the gear shift- 1iangmember engaged by the actuating mem- 5. A gear shifting mechanism, apair of connected gear shifting members, an actuating member disposedbetween the gear shifting members, and selecting means operativelyconnected to the gear shifting members to cause a projection of one orthe other of said members when shifted in one or the other directionfrom neutral, a movement of said connected gear shifting members becauseof engagement of the projected member by the actuating member causingthe retraction of the gear shifting member so engaged, the selectingmeans upon being brought back to neutral position projecting the othergear shifting member so that upon a second movement of theactuatingmember in the same direction a reverse movement of theconnected gear shifting members will be attained, both of said gearshiftmember whereby the gear shifting members may be moved to shift theselected gear into operative positlon upon an initial rotation of theactuating member in one direction,

said means being operable to cause an automatic return of the gearshifting members to neutral position upon a second movement of theactuating member in the same direction.

7 In a gear shifting mechanism, an actu ating member, a plurality ofgear shifting membersadapted to be operatively connected to a pluralityof gears and each including a movable member, manually operable meansfor shifting one of said movable members into operative relation to theactuating member, and means causing a retrac tion of said movable memberwhen its gear shifting member has arrived at a position where the gearconnected thereto is in operative position, whereby to permit theactuating member to freely operate.

8. In a gear shitting mechanism. of the character described, a clutch.lever, a plurality of gear shifting elements each adapted to beoperatively connected to a gear, an actuating element operativelyconnected to the clutch lever to be shifted thereby, a movable membercarried by each of the gear shifting elements and shiftable into or'outof position to be engaged by said actuating element, manually operableselecting mechanism whereby any one of said movable members may beshifted to a projected position or to a retracted position, and meanscausing a retraction of a projected movable element when the gearshifting element connected thereto under the action of the actuatingelement has arrived at a position where the gear connected thereto is inoperative position whereby to permit the clutch lever to freely operate.

9. In a gear shifting mechanism, a clutch lever, a plurality of gearshifting elements, each operatively connected to a gear, an actuatingelement operatively connected to the clutch lever, movable memberscarried one by each of the gear shifting elements, selecting means forshifting any one of said movable members into a position to be engagedby the actuating member or shifting it out of such position, and meanscausing a retraction of a projected movable element when the selectedgear shifting element has arrived at a position where the gear connectedthereto is in operative position and causing a retraction of anyprojected movable element when the gear shifted element connectedthereto has moved to a neutral position whereby to permit the clutchlever to be freely operated.

10. In a gear shifting mechanism, a gear shifting member, adapted to beoperatively connected to a gear, a rotatable actuating earn, a hollowhead carried by the gear shifting member, a plunger carried in the headand shiftable into or out of the path of movement of said actuating cam,and an-operable device operatively connected to said plunger, andmanually shiftable to project or retract the plunger.

11. In a gear shifting mechanism, a rotatable actuating cam, a gearshifting member adapted to be operatively connected to a shiftable gear,a hollow head carried b the member, a plunger carried in the hea and ingcam, a cam plate having a slot having,

two portions ofiset with relation to each other and connected by aninclined portion,

a pin carried by the plunger engaging in said slot whereby upon areciprocation of the cam plate, the plunger may be retracted orprojected, and manually actuatable means for shifting said cam plate.

18. In a gear shifting mechanism, a rotatable actuating cam, a memberadapted to be connected to a shiftable'gear and having a hollow head, aplunger carried in the head and shiftable into or out of the path ofmovement of the actuating cam, a cam plate having a slot having twoportions ofiset with relation to each other and connected by an inclinedportion, a pin carried by the plunger engaging in said slot whereby upona reciprocation of the cam plate the plunger may be retracted orprojected, manually actuatable means for shifting said cam plate,

and independent manually actuatable means the plate in one direction orthe other to thereby retract or project the plunger.

15. In a gear shifting mechanism, a rotatable actuating cam, manuallyoperated means for rotating said cam, a pivoted gear shifting member, aradial arm carried by the gear shifting member and having a hollow head,a plunger carried in the head and shiftable into or out of the path ofmovement of the actuating cam, a sector pivoted upon the same axis asthe gear shifting member, said sector having a peripheral longitudinallyextending cam slot, plunger carried means operatively engaging in saidcam slot, and manually operable means for shiftmg said sector.

. shifting member adapted through movement 16. In a gear shiftingmechanism, a manually shiftable actuating member, a gear in one irectionto shift one gear into operative position and through movement in theother direction to shift another gear into operative position, a pair ofheads carried by said member and disposed one on each side of theactuating member, plungers in said heads shiftable into or out of aprojected position into the path of movement of the actuating member, amovable selector plate having a cam slot with hich the plungers haveoperative engagement and manually operable means for shifting theselector plate to cause the retraction of both of said plungers or theprojection of one or the other of saidplungers.

17. In a gear shifting mechanism, a rotatable actuating member, a gearshifting member adapted through movement in onedirection to shift onegear into operative position and through movement in the other directionto shift another gear into operative position, a pair of heads carriedby said member and disposed one on each side of the actuating member,plunge-rs in said heads shiftable into or out of a projected positioninto the path of movement of the actuating member, a movable selectorplate having a cam with Which the plungers have operative engagement,and manually operable means for shifting the selector plate to cause theretraction of both of said plungers or the projection of one or theother of said plun- 'ers.

g 18. In a gear shifting mechanism, a rotatable elliptical actuatingmember, a gear shifting member adapted through movement in onedirection, from a neutral position to shift one gear into operativeposition and through movement in the other direction to shift anothergear into operative position, a pair of heads carried by the gearshifting member and disposed one at each side of the actuating member,plungers in said heads shiftable into or out of a projected position inthe path of movement of the elliptical actuating member, a movableselector plate having a cam with which the plungers have operativeengagement, and manually operable means for shifting the selector plateto neutral position whereby to cause the retraction of both of saidplungersor from neutral position in one or the other direction to causethe projection of one or the other of said plungers.

19. In a gear shifting mechanism, 'a shiftable actuating member, aclutch lever, operatively' connected to the actuating member to cause amovement of the actuating member upon a movement of the clutch lever in-either direction, a gear shifting member adapted through movement inone direction from a neutral position to shift one gear plate to aneutral position to cause the retraction of both of said plungers orfrom a neutral position in either direction to cause the projection ofone or the other of said plungers.

20. In a gear shifting mechanism, .a rotatable elliptical actuatingmember, a clutch lever operatively connected to the actuating member tocause an oscillation of the latter upon an oscillation of the former, agear shifting member adaptedthrough movement in one direction to shiftone gear into operative position and through movement in the otherdirection to shift another gear into operative position, a pair ofplungers carried by said member and disposed one at each side oftheactuating member and adapted to be engaged thereby When projected,said plungers being shiftable into or out of the path 'of movement ofthe actuating member, a

movable selector plate having a cam With which the plungers haveoperative engagement, and manually operable means for shifting theselector plate to neutral position to cause the retraction of both ofsaid plungers or from neutral position in either direction to cause theprojectionof one or the other of said plungers.

21. In a gear shifting mechanism a rotatable actuating cam, a clutchlever, an arm operatively connected with the actuating cam, a slottedlink operatively connecting the arm with the clutch lever, a gearshifting member adapted through movement from neutral position in onedirection to shift one gear into operative position and through movementin the other direction to shift another gear into operative position, apair of plungers carried by said member and disposed one at each side ofthe actuating member, said plungers being shiftable into or out of thepath of movement of the actuating member, a shiftable selector platehaving a cam With which the plungers have operative engagement, andmanually oper able means for shifting the selector plate to a neutralposition to cause the retraction of both of said plungers or from aneutral position in either direction to cause a projection of one or theother of said plungers.

22. In a gear shifting mechanism, a shiftable actuating member, a gearshifting mem ber adapted through movement in one direction from neutralposition to shift one gear v into operative position and throughmovement in the other direction to shift another gear into operativepositionga pair of plungers carried by saidv member and disposedone" ateach side of the actuating member,

said plungers being shiftable into or out of the path of movement of theactuating member, a movable selectorplate having a cam with which theplungers have operative en- 30 gagement, said selector plate when inneutral position holding both of'said plungers retracted and whenshifted relative to the plungers in one or the other direction causingthe projection of one'or the-other of the plungers, a selector shaft, ahandle engaging therewith whereby the shaft may be oscillated, a rodoperatively connected to said shaft for reciprocation, said rod beingoperatively connected to the cam plate, a clutch lever, and meansoperatively connecting. the clutch lever to the actuating member.

23. In a gear shifting mechanism, a manually shiftable actuating member,a pivotally supported gear shifting member movable .in oppositedirections from neutral position, a pair of diverging arms extending upon each side of but out of alinement with the actuating member, plungercarried by each arm and shiftable into or out of the path of movement ofthe actuating member, a sector rotatably mounted on an axis coincidentwith the axis of the gear shifting member,

the periphery of the sector being formed,

with a cam having a middle portion and off set end portions, connectionsbetween the cam and said plungers whereby upon relative movement of thesector and the gear shifting member from neutral position to 'cause'aretraction or projection of one or the other of the plungers, andmanually operable means for shifting the sector to or from the neutralposition in either direction.

24., In a car shifting mechanism, a manually shifta le actuating.member, a gear shifting, member carrying a pair of plungers disposed oneon each side of the actuating cam, andya plunger operating memberdisposed parallel to the gear shlfting member and having means forcausing a retraction of the plungers when the middle of the plungeroperating member is equidistant between the plungers but causing aprojection of one plunger or the other into the path of movement of theactuating member when the gear shiftingmember and the plunger op eratingmember are shifted relative to each other in one or the other directionfrom neutral position.

25. In gear shifting mechanism, a manually shiftable actuating member, apivotally supported gear shifting member movable in opposite directionsfrom a neutral position, a pair of diverging arms extending up on eachside of but out of alinement with the 65 actuating member, plungerscarried by each arm and shiftable'into or out of the path of movementofthe actuating member, a sector mounted on an axis coincident with theaxis of the gear shifting member, the periphery of p the sector beingformed with a cam slot having amiddle portion'and oflset end portionsconnected to the middle ortion by inin either direction to cause aretraction or projection of one orthe other of the plungers, andmanually operable means for shifting the sector to or from a neutralposition 30 in either direction. 26. Ina gear shifting mechanism, arotatably mounted elliptical actuating cam, a clutch lever, operativeconnections between the cam and the clutchlever'whereb to 35 oscillatethe cam, upon an oscillation o the clutch lever," a pivotally supportedgear shifting member movable in opposite di rections from neutralposition and carrying a pair of diverging arms extending at each side ofbut out of alinement with the actuating member, plungers carried one byeach arm and shiftable into or out of'the path of movement of theactuating member, a

sector rotatable upon the same axis as the I shifting -member anddisposed in parallel relation thereto, the periphery of the sector beingformed with a cam slot having amiddle portion and 'ofl'set end-portions,operativerconnections between each of the plungers and said cam slot,and manually operable means for shifting the sector from a neutralposition in either direction whereby to cause the projectionof one orthe other of the plungers, the same cam slot, when the middle of the camslot is equidistant between the plungers, causing a retraction oftheplungers and causing a projection of one plunger or the other when thegear shifting member and the sector are shifted relative to each otherin opposite directions.

27. In a gear shifting mechanism, a rotatable elliptical cam, a clutchlever operatively connected to the cam to oscillate the latter, apivotally supported gear shifting member movable in opposite directionsfrom a neutral position and having a pair of diverging arms extending ateach side of but out of alinement with the actuating cam, a plungercarried by each arm and shiftable into or outof the path of movement ofthe actuating member, said plungers being shiftable into or out of thepath of movement of the actuating cam, a sector rotatable upon the sameaxis as the gear shifting member and having a periphery formed with acam slot, the cam slot having a middle portionand offset end portions,operative connections between the plungers and the cam slot, a lugextending upward from the sector, 21 13a rod having a yoke embracingsaid lug and operatively connected thereto, and a shaft operativelyconnected to the rod.

28. In a gear shifting mechanism, oppositely disposed parallel gearshifting members pivotally mounted on a common axis and each having apair of diverging arms each having a head at its extremity, a rotatableelliptical cam disposed above the axis of the gear shifting members andequidistant between the two pairs of heads, plungers disposed in saidheads and movable into or out of the path of movement of the cam, andmanually operable means for retracting or projecting one or the other ofsaid plungers.

29. In a'gear shifting mechanism, oppositely disposed parallel gearshifting members pivotally mounted on a common axis and each having apair of diverging arms each having a head at its extremity, a rotatableelliptical cam disposed above the axis of the gear shifting members andequidistant between the two pairs of heads, plungers disposed in saidheads and movable into or out of the path of movement of the cam,selector plates movable parallel to the arms, each having a cam thereonoperatively engaging the plungers of the correlated gear shiftingmember, .said cams each having a middle portion and two oflset endportions,

. and manually operable means for shifting said plates to or from aneutral position in either direction, the said plates when the. platesand gear shifting members are in neutral position, holding the plungersretracted while a relative movement of either plate and its gearshifting member in either direction from or, toward neutral posltloncauses a projection or retraction of one or the other of the plungers.

30. In a gear shifting mechanism, oppositely disposed parallel gearshifting members mounted on a common axis, each having a pair ofdiverging arms carrying heads at the extremities thereof, a rotatableelliptical cam disposed above the axis of the gear shifting members andequidistant between two pairs of heads, a clutch lever to which the camis operatively connected, plungers disposed within said heads andindependently shiftable into or out of the path of movement of theactuating cam, a pair of selector plates each co-acting with one pair ofplungers, each selector plate having a cam formed thereon having amiddle por-- and means for independently operating either shaft.

31. In a gear shifting mechanism, oppositely disposed gear shiftingmembers pivoted on a common axis and each having a pair of upwardlyextending diverging arms, each arm having a hollow head at itsextremity, a rotatable elliptical actuating cam disposed above the axisof the gear'shifting members and equidistant between the two pairs ofheads, laterally movable plungers carried one in each head andindependently shiftable into or out of the path of-movement of theactuating cam, a pair of sectors having their axes coincident with theaxis of the gear shifting members,the periphery of each sector having acam slot formed therein, each slot having a middle portion and twoofl'set end portions, each cam slot being operatively engaged by thecorresponding pair of plungers, the cam slots causing the retraction ofthe plunger when the sectors and corresponding gear shifting members arein neutral position but causing afprojection or retraction of one or theother 0 the plungers when either gear shifting member and its sector arerelatively moved, operating rods connected one to each sector, sectorgears operatively connected to each rod, independent concentric shaftshaving bevel gears, each connected to one of said sector gears, one ofthe shafts being longer tively projecting the plungers.

33. In a gear shifting mechanism, a pair of spaced gear shifting membersswingingly mounted, an actuating member disposed between the gearshifting members, a pair of plungers carried by each gear shiftingmember, one at either side of the actuating member, and manuallyoperable means for selectively projecting the plungers, said means beingsuch that only one plunger may be projected at a time and that noplunger may be projected while another one is in projected position.

34. In-a gear shifting mechanism, a pair of spaced gear shifting membersswingingly mounted, an actuating member disposed between the gearshifting members, a pair of plungers carried by each gear shiftingmember, one at either side of the actuating member, and manuallyoperable means for selectively projecting the plungers, said means beingsuch that the projection of any plunger will cause retraction of anyother plunger which may be in projected position.

35. In a gear shifting mechanism, a pair of spaced gear shifting membersswlngingly mounted, an actuating member disposed be tween the gearshifting members, a pair of plungers carried by each gear shiftingmember, one at either side of the actuating member, and manuallyoperable meansfor selectively projecting the plungers, said means beingsuch that all plungers may be held in retracted position although butone plunof spaced gear shifting members swingingly mounted, a pair ofspaced plungers carried by each gear. shifting member, means forselectively projecting the plungers, and

clutch pedal operated means for engaging any projected plunger tooperate its gear shifting member, the projecting means of the plungersbeing such that when any gear shifting member has been moved throughengagement of one of .its plungers bythe actuating .means such plungerwill be retracted. v

8. In a gear shifting mechanism, a pair of spaced gear shifting membersswingingly mounted, a air of spaced plungers carried by each shi tingmember, means for selectively; projecting the plungers, and clutch pedaloperated means for engaging any projected plunger to operate its gearshifting member, the actuating means and the plunger projecting meansbeing such that when all plungers are retracted and the clutch pedal isin inactive position no plunger can be projected. j 1

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

101m cmrror moms. [In a Witnesses: i

F. E. DUNBAB',

M. M. POMEROY.

